Baw Baw Shire Council supports West Gippsland Regional Library transition to not-for-profit

At its meeting last night, Baw Baw Shire Council endorsed a decision that will support the change of West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation to a Not-For-Profit organisation. The change has been prompted by the new Local Government Act 2020, which mandates that all library corporations decide on their future within ten years.

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Partnership with other shires

Currently a partnership between Baw Baw Shire, South Gippsland Shire and Bass Coast Shire Councils, WGRLC is recognised as an industry leader in the library sector across Victoria. Following the transition, library users will continue to experience all that they love about the service, including adaptations made in response to COVID-19 to broaden support to the community.

Delivery of library services

By becoming a Not-For-Profit, the WGRLC hopes to realise a range of additional benefits including increased flexibility, increased resources and the ability to provide a greater range of services in response to community need.

Part of the transition includes a name change to Myli - My Community Library. This was a necessary step to promote the delivery of library services beyond the existing West Gippsland region. However, the existing library logo will remain.

The transition to a Not-For-Profit requires that all three member Councils adopt the same resolution. Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shire Councils made their decision last week, while Baw Baw Shire Council made the decision last night.

Support for the non-for-profit decision

Mayor Danny Goss said, "We are pleased to support the decision for West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation to transition to a Not-For-Profit. The decision follows nearly two years of due diligence, and we're confident it is the best option for everyone going forward - the libraries, their users and for all three Councils.

We know how important library services are for our community. Council has had a great partnership with the WGRLC and we look forward to supporting them as they embrace the opportunities for growth and evolution made possible by the transition to not-for-profit status."

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council Facebook page.